Apparatus for generating electrical energy and method for manufacturing the same

• US 7,936,111 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kumoh NAT Institute Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kumoh NAT Institute Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Sang-Woo, Choi, Dukhyun, Choi, Jaeyoung
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty; Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US12/350,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20100033059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 310/339
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/22 the conductive material comprising metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/22 Methods relating to manufacturing, e.g. assembling, calibration
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/81 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/01 Manufacture or treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/092 Forming composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/852 Composite materials, e.g. having 1-3 or 2-2 type connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine

Abstract

An apparatus for generating electrical energy including a first electrode, a second electrode and one or more nanowires, and a method for manufacturing the apparatus for generating electrical energy. The second electrode may have a concave portion and a convex portion. The first electrode and the nanowire are formed of different materials. The nanowire is formed on the first electrode and is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. Because the nanowire is formed on the first electrode, the nanowire may be grown vertically and the uniformity and conductivity of the nanowires may be improved. When a stress is applied to the first electrode or the second electrode, the nanowire is deformed and an electric current is generated from the nanowire due to a piezoelectric effect of the nanowire and a Schottky contact between the nanowire and the electrode which makes contact with the nanowire. Accordingly, when the apparatus for generating electrical energy is bent or pressed in part, electrical energy is generated in response to the applied stress.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy, comprising:

a first electrode disposed on a substrate;

a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, the second electrode has a concave portion and a convex portion facing the first electrode;

a conductor which electrically connects the first electrode to the second electrode;

a plurality of nanowires formed on the first electrode and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the plurality of nanowires is deformed in response to a stress applied to the first electrode or the second electrode;

a first substrate connected to the first electrode; and

a second substrate connected to the second electrode;

wherein;

the first electrode is electrically connected to the plurality of nanowires;

the first electrode and the plurality of nanowires are formed of different materials;

an electric current is generated from the plurality of nanowires when the plurality of nanowires is deformed;

the first electrode and the second electrode are formed of a transparent and flexible material which can be deformed by an applied stress; and

the first substrate and the second substrate are formed of a transparent and flexible material which can be deformed by an applied stress.

2. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanowires is bent as a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is decreased.

3. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanowires is formed of one of the group consisting of zinc oxide, lead zirconate titanate and barium titanate.

4. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of nanowires is positioned to be aligned with and in proximity to the concave portion of the second electrode.

5. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode include a plurality of first and second electrodes, respectively, the plurality of the first electrodes are spaced apart from each other and extend in one direction, and the plurality of the second electrodes are spaced apart from each other and extend in a direction perpendicular to the one direction.

6. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a first distance between the first electrode and a top surface of the elastic material is equal to or less than a second distance between the first electrode and the top surface of the elastic material.

7. The apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 6, wherein the elastic material is formed of at least one of the group consisting of silicone, polydimethylsiloxane, and urethane.